More News from Sweden

At Key City BBQ in the archipelago. Great evening!

Church built about 1000 AD.

Group of 4 senior couples together in Sigtuna. Johnsons, Watts, Thunells, Lewises.

Vicky making her own tortilla in Viking Village at Sigtuna.

Bridal bike and bridal shower in Sigtuna. Bridal bike ridden by bride to be to bridal shower.

Bridal shower. Everyone in matching tshirts, except intended bride in orange.

Vicky and Rex with people from Viking Village in Sigtuna. We made our own tortilla in the village.

Things have slowed down somewhat this past week. We were able to go to the temple in Sweden and do a session, we have had the elders and sister for dinner several times, and put together a training session for a ward in Borlange on how to use the internet in sharing the gospel. Bishop Michael Holmgren has invited us to come to Borlange to speak and train in his ward this coming Sunday. Elder Ballard gave a wonderful talk about this and he outlines some ways we can be more effective in sharing what we believe, as well as counteracting some falsehoods about our faith and beliefs. He comments to the old adage that "the pen is mightier than the sword." The internet allows everyone to be a publisher. Everyone's voice can be heard. There is a website put together by Bruce Olsen and members of the Public Affairs staff called LDS Media Talk with many ideas for individuals and families on how to use the media more effectively as well as things we need to be careful of on the internet. I recommend both the talk by Elder Ballard and the LDSMediaTalk.com to everyone.

Last Saturday we met with three other senior couples and made a little day trip to Sigtuna, which is about an hour from Stockholm. We borrowed the van from the secretaries at the office, which they call RITA. Just as we were arriving in Sigtuna, Rita's power steering and the alternator quit. Thank goodness we got parked. They had Rita towed to the nearest city about 30 minutes away. We called the secretaries who came in two cars: one for them to continue on to the airport to pick up some elders and one for two of the couples to get back to the mission office. Rex and I rode with the other senior couple to Marsta, about 15 minutes away and rode the train home. It was a fun day together seeing this historic site and eating lunch together. We don't get many opportunities to socialize with other couples so this was a really fun day. I must say that the senior couples are a great group special people.

Monday evening we had a Key City BBQ with the members of the Key City Council. They are really a great group. All the members and their spouses were invited. It was held at the home of one of the members of the council who lives way out in the archipelago about an hour out of Stockholm. Thank goodness Per and Eva Akebrand gave us a ride. The home we went to is located on a hill that overlooks this gorgeous lake. We ate outside on the back deck and enjoyed some real, authentic, delicious Swedish food. My favorite was the marinated, grilled salmon. Everything was superb!